Inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455

ABSTRACT

Basically, this invention provides for an inbred corn line designated G07-NPAF3455, methods for producing a corn plant by crossing plants of the inbred line G07-NPAF3455 with plants of another corn plants. The invention relates to the various parts of inbred G07-NPAF3455 including culturable cells. This invention also relates to methods for introducing transgenic transgenes into inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 and plants produced by said methods.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of corn breeding, specifically relatingto an inbred corn line designated G07-NPAF3455. This invention also isin the field of hybrid maize production employing the present inbred.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The original maize plant was indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. Theplants were weed like and only through the efforts of early breederswere cultivated crop species developed. The crop cultivated by earlybreeders, like the crop today, could be wind pollinated. The physicaltraits of maize are such that wind pollination results inself-pollination or cross-pollination between plants. Each maize planthas a separate male and female flower that contributes to pollination,the tassel and ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs when windtransfers pollen from tassel to the silks on the corn ears. This type ofpollination has contributed to the wide variation of maize varietiespresent in the Western Hemisphere.

The development of a planned breeding program for maize only occurred inthe last century. A large part of the development of the maize productinto a profitable agricultural crop was due to the work done by landgrant colleges. Originally, maize was an open pollinated variety havingheterogeneous genotypes. The maize farmer selected uniform ears from theyield of these genotypes and preserved them for planting the nextseason. The result was a field of maize plants that were segregating fora variety of traits. This type of maize selection led to; at most,incremental increases in seed yield.

Large increases in seed yield were due to the work done by land grantcolleges that resulted in the development of numerous hybrid cornvarieties in planned breeding programs. Hybrids were developed frominbreds which were developed by selecting corn lines and selfing theselines for several generations to develop homozygous pure inbred lines.One selected inbred line was emasculated and another selected inbredline pollinated the emasculated inbred to produce hybrid seed F1 on theemasculated inbred line. Emasculation of the inbred usually is done bydetasseling the seed parent; however, emasculation can be done in anumber of ways. For example an inbred could have a male sterility factorwhich would eliminate the need to detassel the inbred.

In the early seventies the hybrid corn industry attempted to introduceCMS (cytoplasmic male sterility) into a number of inbred lines.Unfortunately, the CMS inbreds also introduced some very poor agronomicperformance traits into the hybrid seed which caused farmers concerncausing the maize industry to shy away from CMS material for a couple ofdecades thereafter.

However, in the last 10-15 years a number of different male sterilitysystems for maize have been successfully deployed. The mosttraditionally of these male sterility and/or CMS systems for maizeparallel the CMS type systems that have been routinely used in hybridproduction in sunflower.

In the standard CMS system there are three different maize linesrequired to make the hybrid. First, there is a cytoplasmic male-sterileline usually carrying the CMS or some other form of male sterility. Thisline will be the seed producing parent line. Second, there must be afertile inbred line that is the same or isogenic with the seed producinginbred parent but lacking the trait of male sterility. This is amaintainer line needed to make new inbred seed of the seed producingmale sterile parent. Third there is a different inbred which is fertile,has normal cytoplasm and carries a fertility restoring gene. This lineis called the restorer line in the CMS system. The CMS cytoplasm isinherited from the maternal parent (or the seed producing plant);therefore for the hybrid seed produced on such plant to be fertile thepollen used to fertilize this plant must carry the restorer gene. Thepositive aspect of this is that it allows hybrid seed to be producedwithout the need for detasseling the seed parent. However, this systemdoes require breeding of all three types of lines: 1) male sterile-tocarry the CMS: 2) the maintainer line; and, 3) the line carrying thefertility restorer gene.

In some instances, sterile hybrids are produced and the pollen necessaryfor the formation of grain on these hybrids is supplied by interplantingof fertile inbreds in the field with the sterile hybrids.

Whether the seed producing plant is emasculated due to detasseling orCMS or transgenes, the seed produced by crossing two inbreds in thismanner is hybrid seed. This hybrid seed is F1 hybrid seed. The grainproduced by a plant grown from a F1 hybrid seed is referred to as F2 orgrain. Although, all F1 seed and plants, produced by this hybrid seedproduction system using the same two inbreds should be substantially thesame, all F2 grain produced from the F1 plant will be segregating maizematerial.

The hybrid seed production produces hybrid seed which is heterozygous.The heterozygosis results in hybrid plants, which are robust andvigorous plants. Inbreds on the other hand are mostly homozygous. Thishomozygosity renders the inbred lines less vigorous. Inbred seed can bedifficult to produce since the inbreeding process in corn linesdecreases the vigor. However, when two inbred lines are crossed, thehybrid plant evidences greatly increased vigor and seed yield comparedto open pollinated, segregating maize plants. An important consequenceof the homozygosity and the homogenity of the inbred maize lines is thatall hybrid seed produced from any cross of two such elite lines will bethe same hybrid seed and make the same hybrid plant. Thus the use ofinbreds makes hybrid seed which can be reproduced readily.

The ultimate objective of the commercial maize seed companies is toproduce high yielding, agronomically sound plants that perform well incertain regions or areas of the Corn Belt. To produce these types ofhybrids, the companies must develop inbreds, which carry needed traitsinto the hybrid combination. Hybrids are not often uniformly adapted forthe entire Corn Belt, but most often are specifically adapted forregions of the Corn Belt. Northern regions of the Corn Belt requireshorter season hybrids than do southern regions of the Corn Belt.Hybrids that grow well in Colorado and Nebraska soils may not flourishin richer Illinois and Iowa soils. Thus, a variety of major agronomictraits is important in hybrid combination for the various Corn Beltregions, and has an impact on hybrid performance.

Inbred line development and hybrid testing have been emphasized in thepast half-century in commercial maize production as a means to increasehybrid performance. Inbred development is usually done by pedigreeselection. Pedigree selection can be selection in an F₂ populationproduced from a planned cross of two genotypes (often elite inbredlines), or selection of progeny of synthetic varieties, open pollinated,composite, or backcrossed populations. This type of selection iseffective for highly inheritable traits, but other traits, for example,yield requires replicated test crosses at a variety of stages foraccurate selection.

Maize breeders select for a variety of traits in inbreds that impacthybrid performance along with selecting for acceptable parental traits.Such traits include: yield potential in hybrid combination; dry down;maturity; grain moisture at harvest; greensnap; resistance to rootlodging; resistance to stalk lodging; grain quality; disease and insectresistance; ear and plant height. Additionally, Hybrid performance willdiffer in different soil types such as low levels of organic matter,clay, sand, black, high pH, low pH; or in different environments such aswet environments, drought environments, and no tillage conditions. Thesetraits appear to be governed by a complex genetic system that makesselection and breeding of an inbred line extremely difficult. Even if aninbred in hybrid combination has excellent yield (a desiredcharacteristic), it may not be useful because it fails to haveacceptable parental traits such as seed yield, seed size, pollenproduction, good silks, plant height, etc.

To illustrate the difficulty of breeding and developing inbred lines,the following example is given. Two inbreds compared for similarity of29 traits differed significantly for 18 traits between the two lines. If18 simply inherited single gene traits were polymorphic with genefrequencies of 0.5 in the parental lines, and assuming independentsegregation (as would essentially be the case if each trait resided on adifferent chromosome arm), then the specific combination of these traitsas embodied in an inbred would only be expected to become fixed at arate of one in 262,144 possible homozygous genetic combinations.Selection of the specific inbred combination is also influenced by thespecific selection environment on many of these 18 traits which makesthe probability of obtaining this one inbred even more remote. Inaddition, most traits in the corn genome are regrettably not singledominant genes but are multi-genetic with additive gene action notdominant gene action. Thus, the general procedure of producing a nonsegregating F₁ generation and self pollinating to produce a F₂generation that segregates for traits and selecting progeny with thevisual traits desired does not easily lead to a useful inbred. Greatcare and breeder expertise must be used in selection of breedingmaterial to continue to increase yield and the agronomics of inbreds andresultant commercial hybrids.

Certain regions of the Corn Belt have specific difficulties that otherregions may not have. Thus the hybrids developed from the inbreds haveto have traits that overcome or at least minimize these regional growingproblems. Examples of these problems include in the eastern corn beltGray Leaf Spot, in the north cool temperatures during seedlingemergence, in the Nebraska region CLN (corn Lethal necrosis and in thewest soil that has excessively high pH levels. The industry oftentargets inbreds that address these issues specifically forming nicheproducts. However, the aim of most large seed producers is to provide anumber of traits to each inbred so that the corresponding hybrid canuseful in broader regions of the Corn Belt. The new biotechnologytechniques such as Microsatellites, RFLPs, RAPDs and the like haveprovided breeders with additional tools to accomplish these goals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455.Specifically, this invention relates to plants and seeds of this line.Additionally, this relates to a method of producing from this inbred,hybrid seed corn and hybrid plants with seeds from such hybrid seed.More particularly, this invention relates to the unique combination oftraits that combine in corn line G07-NPAF3455.

Generally then, broadly the present invention includes an inbred cornseed designated G07-NPAF3455. This seed produces a corn plant.

The invention also includes the tissue culture of regenerable cells ofG07-NPAF3455 wherein the cells of the tissue culture regenerates plantscapable of expressing the genotype of G07-NPAF3455. The tissue cultureis selected from the group consisting of leaf, pollen, embryo, root,root tip, guard cell, ovule, seed, anther, silk, flower, kernel, ear,cob, husk and stalk, cell and protoplast thereof. The corn plantregenerated from G07-NPAF3455 or any part thereof is included in thepresent invention. The present invention includes regenerated cornplants that are capable of expressing G07-NPAF3455's genotype, phenotypeor mutants or variants thereof.

The invention extends to hybrid seed produced by planting, inpollinating proximity which includes using preserved maize pollen asexplained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,838 to Greaves, seeds of corn inbredlines G07-NPAF3455 and another inbred line if preserved pollen is notused; cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting; preventingpollen production by the plants of one of the inbred lines if two areemployed; allowing cross pollination to occur between said inbred lines;and harvesting seeds produced on plants of the selected inbred. Thehybrid seed produced by hybrid combination of plants of inbred corn seeddesignated G07-NPAF3455 and plants of another inbred line are apart ofthe present invention. This inventions scope covers hybrid plants andthe plant parts including the grain and pollen grown from this hybridseed.

The invention further includes a method of hybrid F1 production. A firstgeneration (F1) hybrid corn plant produced by the process of plantingseeds of corn inbred line G07-NPAF3455; cultivating corn plantsresulting from said planting; permitting pollen from another inbred lineto cross pollinate inbred line G07-NPAF3455; harvesting seeds producedon plants of the inbred; and growing a harvested seed are part of themethod of this invention.

The present invention also encompasses a method of introducing at leastone targeted trait into maize inbred line comprising the steps of: (A)crossing plant grown from the present invention seed which is therecurrent parent, representative seed of which has been deposited, withthe donor plant of another maize line that comprises at least one targettrait selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicideresistance, insect resistance, disease resistance, amylose starch, andwaxy starch to produce F1 plants; (b) selecting from the F1 plants thathave at least one of the targeted trait, forming a pool of progenyplants with the targeted trait; (c) crossing the pool of progeny plantswith the present invention which is the recurrent parent to producebackcrossed progeny plants with the targeted trait; (d) selecting forbackcrossed progeny plants that have at least one of the target traitand physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred lineof the recurrent parent, listed in Table 1 forming a pool of selectedbackcrossed progeny plants; and (e) crossing the selected backcrossedprogeny plants to the recurrent parent and selecting from the resultingplants for the targeted trait and physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of maize inbred line of the recurrent parent, listed inTable 1 and reselecting from the pool of resulting plants and repeatingthe crossing to the recurrent parent and selecting step in succession toform a plant that comprise the desired trait and all of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred line ofthe recurrent parent if the present invention listed in Table 1 asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

This method and the following method of introducing traits can be donewith less back crossing events if the trait and/or the genotype of thepresent invention are selected for or identified through the use ofmarkers. SSR, microsatellites, SNP and the like decrease the amount ofbreeding time required to locate a line with the desired trait or traitsand the characteristics of the present invention. Backcrossing in two oreven three traits (for example the glyphosate, Europe corn borer, cornrootworm resistant genes) is routinely done with the use of markerassisted breeding techniques. This introduction of transgenes ormutations into a maize line is often called single gene conversion.Although, presently more than one gene particularly transgenes ormutations which are readily tracked with markers can be moved during thesame “single gene conversion” process, resulting in a line with theaddition of more targeted traits than just the one, but still having thecharacteristics of the present invention plus those characteristicsadded by the targeted traits.

The method of introducing a desired trait into maize inbred linecomprising: (a) crossing plant grown from the present invention seed,representative seed of which has been deposited the recurrent parent,with plant of another maize line that comprises at least one targettrait selected from the group consisting of nucleic acid encoding anenzyme selected from the group consisting of phytase, stearyl-ACPdesaturase, fructosyltransferase, levansucrase, amylase, invertase andstarch branching enzyme, the donor parent to produce F1 plants; (b)selecting for the targeted trait from the F1 plants, forming a pool ofprogeny plants; (c) crossing the progeny plants with the recurrentparent to produce backcrossed progeny plants; (d) selecting forbackcrossed progeny plants that have at least one of the target traitand physiological and morphological characteristics of maize inbred lineof the present invention a listed in Table 1 forming a pool ofbackcrossed progeny plants; and repeating a step of crossing the newpool with the recurrent parent and selecting for the targeted trait andthe recurrent parents characteristics until the selected plant isessentially the recurrent parent with the targeted trait or targetedtraits. This selection and crossing may take at least 4 backcrosses ifmarker assisted breeding is not employed.

The inbred line and seed of the present invention are employed to carrythe agronomic package into the hybrid. Additionally, the inbred line isoften carrying transgenes that are introduced in to the hybrid seed.

Likewise included is a first generation (F1) hybrid corn plant producedby the process of planting seeds of corn inbred line G07-NPAF3455;cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting; permitting pollenfrom inbred line G07-NPAF3455 to cross pollinate another inbred line;harvesting seeds produced on plants of the inbred; and growing a plantfrom such a harvested seed.

A number of different techniques exist which are designed to avoiddetasseling in maize hybrid production. Some examples are switchablemale sterility, lethal genes in the pollen or anther, inducible malesterility, male sterility genes with chemical restorers. There arenumerous patented means of improving upon the hybrid production system.Some examples include U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,546, which relates to the useof tapetum-specific promoters and the barnase gene to produce malesterility; U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,799 relates to modifying stamen cells toprovide male sterility. Therefore, one aspect of the current inventionconcerns the present invention comprising one or more gene(s) capable ofrestoring male fertility to male-sterile maize inbreds or hybrids and/orgenes or traits to produce male sterility in maize inbreds or hybrids.

The inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 and at least one transgenic geneadapted to give G07-NPAF3455 additional and/or altered phenotypic traitsare within the scope of the invention. Such transgenes are usuallyassociated with regulatory elements (promoters, enhancers, terminatorsand the like). Presently, transgenes provide the invention with traitssuch as insect resistance, herbicide resistance, disease resistanceincreased or deceased starch or sugars or oils, increased or decreasedlife cycle or other altered trait.

The present invention includes inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 and atleast one transgenic gene adapted to give G07-NPAF3455 modified starchtraits. Furthermore this invention includes the inbred corn lineG07-NPAF3455 and at least one mutant gene adapted to give modifiedstarch, acid or oil traits, i.e. amylase, waxy, amylose extender oramylose. The present invention includes the inbred corn lineG07-NPAF3455 and at least one transgenic gene: bacillus thuringiensis,the bar or pat gene encoding Phosphinothricin acetyl Transferase, Gdhagene, GOX, VIP, EPSP synthase gene, low phytic acid producing gene, andzein. The inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 and at least one transgenic geneuseful as a selectable marker or a screenable marker is covered by thepresent invention.

A tissue culture of the regenerable cells of hybrid plants produced withuse of G07-NPAF3455 genetic material is covered by this invention. Atissue culture of the regenerable cells of the corn plant produced bythe method described above is also included.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples, which follow, a number of terms areused. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecifications and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided.

Early Season Trait Codes

Emergence (EMRGR): rated when 50% of the plots in the trial are at V1 (1leaf collar) growth stage.

1=All plants have emerged and are uniform in size

3=All plants have emerged but are not completely uniform

5=Most plants have emerged with some just beginning to break the soilsurface, noticeable lack of uniformity

7=Less than 50% of the plants have emerged, and lack of uniformity isvery noticeable

9=A few plants have emerged but most remain under the soil surface.

Seedling Growth (SVGRR): rated between V3 and V5 (3-5 leaf stage) givinggreatest weight to seedling plant size and secondary weight to uniformgrowth.

1=Large plant size and uniform growth

3=Acceptable plant size and uniform growth

5=Acceptable plant size and might be a little non-uniform

7=Weak looking plants and non-uniform growth

9=Small plants with poor uniformity

Purpling (PRPLR): Emergence and/or early growth rating. Purpling is morepronounced on the under sides of leaf blades especially on midribs.

1=No plants showing purple color

3=30% plants showing purple color

5=50% plants showing purple color

7=70% plants showing purple color

9=90+% plants showing purple color

Herbicide Injury (HRBDR) The herbicide used is listed then rate eachhybrid/variety injury as indicated below. The NORTH CENTRAL PUBLICATION# 337, is used as a general reference, it refers to the herbicide modeof action and injury symptoms.

1=No apparent reduction in biomass or other injury symptoms

5=Moderate reduction in biomass with some signs of sensitivity

9=Severe reduction in biomass with some mortality

Mid-Season Traits Codes

Heat Units to 50% Silk (HU5SN): Rated when 50% of all plants within aplot show 2 cm or more silk protruding from the ear. Days are convertedto accumulated heat units from planting.

Heat units to 50% Pollen Shed (HUPSN): Rated when 50% of all plantswithin a plot are shedding pollen. Days are converted to accumulatedheat units from planting.

Plant Height in cm (ERHTN): After pollination average plant height ofeach plot is recorded. Measurement is from ground to base of leaf node.

Plant Ear Height in cm (PLHTN): After pollination average ear height ofeach plot is recorded. Measurement is from ground to base of ear node(shank).

Root Lodging Early % (ERTLP): Early root lodging occurs up to about twoweeks after flowering and usually involves goosenecking. The number ofroot lodged plants are counted and converted to a percentage. For plots,lodged plants out of 50 plants from two locations in each hybrid strip,are recorded, summed, and a percentage is recorded.Foliar Disease (LFDSR): Foliar disease ratings should be done one monthbefore harvest through harvest. The predominant disease is listed in thetrial information and individual hybrid ratings are given.1=No lesions to two lesions per leaf.3=A few scattered lesions on the leaf. About five to ten percent of theleaf surface is affected.5=A moderate number of lesions are on the leaf. About 15 to 20 percentof the leaf surface is affected.7=Abundant lesions are on the leaf. About 30 to 40 percent of the leafsurface is affected.9=Highly abundant-lesions (>50 percent) on the leaf. Lesions are highlycoalesced. Plants may be prematurely killed.Data collection (as described above) should focus on the followingdiseases:

Common Rust (CR) Eye Spot (ES) Gray Leaf Spot (GLS) Northern Corn LeafBlight (NCLB) Stewart's Bacterial Wilt (SBW) Southern Corn Leaf Blight(SCLB) Southern Rust (SR) Corn Virus Complex (CVC)Preharvest Trait CodesHeat units to Black Layer (HUBLN): Rated when 50% of all plants within aplot reach black layer stage. Days are converted to accumulated heatunits from planting. Ratings are taken on border rows of four-row plots.Harvest Population (HAVPN): Count the number of plants in yield rows,excluding tillers, in each plot. For plots, count a thousandth of anacre two times and record the average.Barren Plants (BRRNP): Count the number of plants in yield rows havingno ears and/or abnormal ears with less than 50 kernels. For plots, countbarren plants out of 50 from two locations in each hybrid strip, sum,and record the percentage. Data is collected on entire trial.Dropped Ears (DROPP): Count the numbers of ears lying on the ground inyield rows. For plots, count dropped ears from the area of 50 plantsfrom two locations in each hybrid strip, sum, and the percentage isrecorded.Stalk Lodging % (STKLP): Stalk lodging will be reported as number ofplants broken below the ear without pushing, excluding green snappedplants. Only trials with approximately five percent or more averagestalk lodging are recorded. Count the number of broken plants in yieldrows and convert to percent. For plots, count stalk lodged plants out of50 from two locations in each hybrid strip, sum, and the percentage isrecorded.Root Lodging Late % (LRTLP): Late root lodging can usually start tooccur about two weeks after flowering and involves lodging at the baseof the plant. Plants leaning at a 30-degree angle or more from thevertical are considered lodged. Count the number of root lodged plantsin yield rows and convert to percent. For plots, count root lodgedplants out of 50 from two locations in each hybrid strip, sum, and thepercentage is recorded.Push Test for Stalk and Root Quality on Erect Plants % (PSTSN): The pushtest is applied to trials with approximately five percent or lessaverage stalk lodging. Plants are pushed that are not root lodged orbroken prior to the push test. Standing next to the plant, the hand isplaced at the top ear and pushed to arm's length. Push one of the borderrows (four-row small plot) into an adjacent plot border row. Count thenumber of plants leaning at a 30-degree angle or more from the vertical,including plants with broken stalks prior to pushing, do not countplants that have strong rinds that snap rather than bend over easily.For plots, push 50 plants from two interior locations of each hybridstrip, sum, and record the percentage. The goal of the push test is toidentify stalk rot and stalk lodging potential, NOT ECB injury. If ECBinjury is present, a push test is done on the ECB trials.Intactness (INTLR):1=Healthy appearance, tops unbroken5=25% of tops broken9=majority of tops brokenPlant Appearance (PLTAR): This is a visual rating based on general plantappearance taking into account all factors of intactness, pest, anddisease pressure.1=Complete plant with healthy appearance5=plants look OK9=Plants not acceptableECB2R-European Corn borer 2nd Generation visual rating on a scale of1-9; a 1 rating is showing no damage.ECB1R-European Corn borer first generation leaf damage rated on a scaleof 1-9; a 1 rating is showing no damage.Ear Appearance Rating (EARAR): Ear size and uniformity rating Good5. Average9. PoorCrown Rot/Stalk Rot Rating (CRDSR) “Kick Test”Kick base of 10 plants in a row at a point slightly above soil level.No broken plants; stalk and brace roots intact1 or 2 broken plants out of 103 broken plants out of 104 broken plants out of 105 broken plants out of 106 broken plants out of 107 broken plants out of 108 or 9 broken plants out of 10all plants broken and/or brace roots severely deterioratedGreen Snap (GRSNP): The number of plants in yield rows that snappedbelow the ear due to brittleness associated with high winds are counted.For plots, count snapped plants out of 50 from two locations in eachhybrid strip, sum, and the percentage is recorded.Stay-green (STGRP): This is an assessment of the ability of a grainhybrid to retain green color as maturity approaches (taken near the timeof black-layer) and should not be a reflection of hybrid maturity orleaf disease. Percentage of green tissue is recorded.Stay Green Rating (STGRR): This is an assessment of the ability of agrain hybrid to retain green color as maturity approached (taken nearthe time of black layer or if major differences are noted later). Thisrating should not be a reflection of the hybrid maturity or leafdisease.1=solid Green Plant9=no green tissueEar/Kernel Rots (KRDSR): If ear or kernel rots are present, tenconsecutive ears in each plot are husked and the number that haveevidence of ear or kernel rots is counted, multiplied by 10, and roundedup to the nearest rating as described below. Ratings between hybridsshould differ by at least a factor of 3. The disease primarilyresponsible for the rot is identified and recorded.1=No rots, 0% of the ears infected.3=Up to 10% of the ears infected.5=11 to 20% of the ears infected.7=21 to 35% of the ears infected.9=36% or more of the ears infected.Grain Quality (GRQUR): Several ears are husked back after black layerstage and kernel cap integrity and relative amount of soft starchendosperm along the sides of kernels is observed.1=smooth kernel caps and or 10% or less soft starch3=slight kernel wrinkles and or 30% soft starch7=moderate kernel wrinkles and or 70% soft starch9=severe kernel wrinkled and or 90% or more soft starchPreharvest Hybrid CharacteristicsEar Type Fixed, Semi-Fixed, Flex (Home location: Thin outside row, everyother plant for half of row.)EARFR:1=Flex5=Semi-flex9=FixedHusk Cover:HSKCR:1=Long5=Medium9=ShortKernel Depth:KRLNR:1=Deep5=Medium9=Short (shallow)Shank Length:SHLNR:1=Short5=Medium9=LongCob Color (COBCR):1=White5=Pink9=Dark RedTassel size includes a classification of average, large, marginal, smalland very large.Shed Duration: (HUPLN) Pollen Shed Duration in HU-4 uniform plants ineach plot are marked just as pollen shed begins. The date of firstpollen shed is noted and the date when pollen shed is complete for all 4plants is noted and the duration time is converted to heat units.% Means for the above traits are just the observed value from the linedivided by the average of all the lines it was tested with (times 100).Count: is the number of reps done for the shed & silk data.Kernel Row Number: Enter average of 3 ears (KRRWN): The average numberof kernel rows on 3 ears.Cob diameter (COBDR): Cob diameter to be taken with template.

-   -   1: small    -   5: Medium    -   9: Large        Corn: Harvest Trait Codes        Yield Lb/Plot (GWTPN)        Test Weight in Lb/Bu (TWHMN)        Moisture % (GMSTP)        80K/FeAcre=number of 80K bags yielded from a production acre        80 k % SetAvg=the 80K/FeAcre for the line/80K/FeAcre for the set        it was tested in * 100.        Yield Stability=rating of yield stability across locations—how        much it varies compared to the set average across locations.        COGP=Cost of Goods Production=cost per acre of producing this        line.

Color Choices: 1.light green 2.medium green 3.dark green 4.very darkgreen 5.green-yellow 6.pale yellow 7.yellow 8.yelow-orange 9.salmon10.pink-orange 11.pink 12.light red 13.cherry red 14.red 15.red andwhite 16.pale purple 17.purple 18.colorless 19.white 20.white capped21.buff 22.tan 23.brown 24.bronze 25.variegated (describe) 26.other(describe)

Form Input # ABR. Description Value A1 EMRGN Final number of plants perplot # A2 REGNN Region Developed: 1.Northwest # 2.Northcentral3.Northeast 4.Southeast 5.Southcentral 6.Southwest 7.Other A3 CRTYNCross type: 1.sc 2.dc 3.3w 4.msc 5.m3w # 6.inbred 7.rel. line 8.other A4KRTPN Kernel type: 1.sweet 2.dent 3.flint 4.flour # 5.pop 6.ornamental7.pipecorn 8.other A5 EMERN Days to Emergence EMERN #Days B1 ERTLP %Root lodging: (before anthesis): #% B2 GRSNP % Brittle snapping: (beforeanthesis): #% C1 TBANN Tassel branch angle of 2nd primary lateral degreebranch (at anthesis): C10 HUPSN Heat units to 50% pollen shed: (from #HUemergence) C11 SLKCN Silk color: #/Munsell value C12 HU5SN Heat units to50% silk: (from emergence) #HU C13 DSAZN Days to 50% silk in adaptedzone: #Days C14 HU9PN Heat units to 90% pollen shed: (from #HUemergence) C15 HU19N Heat units from 10% to 90% pollen shed: #HU C16DA19N Days from 10% to 90% pollen shed: #Days C2 LSPUR Leaf sheathpubescence of second leaf # above the ear (at anthesis) 1-9 (1 = none):C3 ANGBN Angle between stalk and 2nd leaf degree above the ear (atanthesis): C4 CR2LN Color of 2nd leaf above the ear #/Munsell (atanthesis): value C5 GLCRN Glume Color: #/Munsell value C6 GLCBN Glumecolor bars perpendicular to their # veins (glume bands): 1.absent2.present C7 ANTCN Anther color: #/Munsell value C8 PLQUR Pollen Shed:1-9 (0 = male sterile) # C9 HU1PN Heat units to 10% pollen shed: (from#HU emergence) D1 LAERN Number of leaves above the top ear node: # D10LTBRN Number of lateral tassel branches that # originate from thecentral spike: D11 EARPN Number of ears per stalk: # D12 APBRRAnthocyanin pigment of brace roots: # 1.absent 2.faint 3.moderate 4.darkD13 TILLN Number of tillers: # D14 HSKCN Husk color 25 days after 50%silk: #/Munsell (fresh) value D2 MLWVR Leaf marginal waves: 1-9 (1 =none) # D3 LFLCR Leaf longitudinal creases: 1-9 (1 = none) # D4 ERLLNLength of ear leaf at the top ear node: #cm D5 ERLWN Width of ear leafat the top ear node at the #cm widest point: D6 PLHTN Plant height totassel tip: #cm D7 ERHCN Plant height to the top ear node: #cm D8 LTEINLength of the internode between the ear #cm node and the node above: D9LTASN Length of the tassel from top leaf collar #cm to tassel tip: E1HSKDN Husk color 65 days after 50% silk: (dry) #/Munsell value E10 DSGMNDays from 50% silk to 25% grain moisture #Days in adapted zone: E11SHLNN Shank length: #cm E12 ERLNN Ear length: #cm E13 ERDIN Diameter ofthe ear at the midpoint: #mm E14 EWGTN Weight of a husked ear: #gm E15KRRWR Kernel rows: 1.indistinct 2.distinct # E16 KRNAR Kernel rowalignment: 1.straight 2.slightly # curved 3.curved E17 ETAPR Ear taper:1.slight 2.average 3.extreme # E18 KRRWN Number of kernel rows: # E19COBCN Cob color: #/Munsell value E2 HSKTR Husk tightness 65 days after50% silk: 1-9 # (1 = loose) E20 COBDN Diameter of the cob at themidpoint: #mm E21 YBUAN Yield: #kg/ha E22 KRTEN Endosperm type: 1.sweet2.extra sweet 3 3.normal 4.high amylose 5.waxy 6.high protein 7.highlysine 8.super sweet 9.high oil 10.other E23 KRCLN Hard endosperm color:#/Munsell value E24 ALECN Aleurone color: #/Munsell value E25 ALCPRAleurone color pattern: 1.homozygous # 2.segregating E26 KRLNN Kernellength: #mm E27 KRWDN Kernel width: #mm E28 KRDPN Kernel thickness: #mmE29 K1KHN 100 kernel weight: #gm E3 HSKCR Husk extension: 1.short (earexposed) # 2.medium (8 cm) 3.long (8-10 cm) 4.very long (>10 cm) E30KRPRN % round kernels on 13/64 slotted screen: #% E4 HEPSR Position ofear 65 days after 50% silk: # 1.upright 2.horizontal 3.pendent E5 STGRPStaygreen 65 days after anthesis: 1-9 # (1 = worst) E6 DPOPP % droppedears 65 days after anthesis: % E7 LRTRP % root lodging 65 days afteranthesis: % E8 HU25N Heat units to 25% grain moisture: (from #HUemergence) E9 HUSGN Heat units from 50% silk to 25% grain #HU moisturein adapted zone:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION G07-NPAF3455 is Shown inComparison with NP2174

The inbred provides uniformity and stability within the limits ofenvironmental influence for traits as described in the VarietyDescription Information (Table 1) that follows.

The inbred has been produced through a dihaploid system or isself-pollinated for a sufficient number of generations to give inbreduniformity. During plant selection in each generation, the uniformity ofplant type was selected to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability.The line has been increased in isolated farmland environments with dataon uniformity and agronomic traits being observed to assure uniformityand stability. No variant traits have been observed or are expected inG07-NPAF3455.

The best method of producing the invention is by planting the seed ofG07-NPAF3455 which is substantially homozygous and self-pollinating orsib pollinating the resultant plant in an isolated environment, andharvesting the resultant seed.

TABLE 1 G07-NPAF3455 VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION #1 Type: Dent #2Region Best Adapted: Broadly adapted MG Maturity Hybrid RM Group Range(estimate) 3 93-97 98 #3 Plant Traits Plant Height 63 in. Ear Height 26in. Anther Color Pink #4 Ear and Kernel Traits Cob Color Red KernelColor Yellow Glume Color Green Silk Color Pink #5 Disease Resistance InInbred Eyespot - Moderately susceptible Goss Wilt - Susceptible Grayleaf Spot - Highly Resistant

The data provided above is often a color. The Munsell code is areference book of color, which is known and used in the industry and bypersons with ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding. The purity andhomozygosity of inbred G07-NPAF3455 is constantly being tracked usingisozyme genotypes.

Isozyme Genotypes for G07-NPAF3455

Isozyme data were generated for inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 accordingto procedures known and published in the art. The data in Table 2 givesthe electrophoresis data on G07-NPAF3455.

TABLE 2 ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS FOR G07-NPAF3455 Inbred ACP1 T ACP4 TADH1T IDH1T IDH2T MDH1T MDH2T MDH3T G07- 2 4 4 4 6 6 6 16 NPAF3455Inbred MDH4T MDH5T MDH6T PGD1T PGD2T PGM1T PGM2T PHI1 T G07- 12 12 Mm3.8 5 9 4 5 NPAF3455

Table 3 shows a comparison between G07-NPAF3455 and a comparable inbredNP2174.

G07-NPAF3455 has a different ear height than does NP2174. The presentinvention does have a shorter pollen shedding time than does NP2174which has a medium length of shed. The two inbreds show colordifferences in anther color with the present invention having a pinkanther and the comparison inbred having a yellow anther. The presentinvention has a good rating for use as a female in a hybrid productionfield, in contrast NP2174 has a very poor rating as a female parent. Thepresent invention also has an acceptable pollen rating while NP2174 ismarginal in this rating.

TABLE 3 PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA Shed Shed Pollen/Tassel DurationPollen Rating Duration Male Isolation Shed NPCode Quantity % mean HU %mean Rating Rating Index Class Flush Type Sterility AntherColor G07-1.75 million 93% 140 74% acceptable short marginal fair early Dent NoPink NPAF3455 NP2174 1.18 million 51% 167 91% marginal medium marginalfair early Dent No Yellow plt hgt NPCode GlumeColor SilkColor CobColorKernelColor Plant Height adjective Ear Height ear hgt adjective count50POL 50SLK G07- Green Pink Red Yellow 63 (Medium) 26 (Low) 30.0 1318.31319.2 NPAF3455 NP2174 Green Pink Red Yellow 70 (Medium) 29 (Medium)38.0 1339.2 1336.6 # (1,000/acre) 21-23 21-23 17-20 17-20 15-16 15-16 >24 < 15 Overall NPCode Silk Delay Locs Final stand % Lrg Rnd % Lrg flat% Med Rnd % Med Flat % Sm Rnd % Sm Flat % Discard Seeds/# G07- −1.0 632.8 11 9 43 29 3 5 2.1 1790 NPAF3455 NP2174 2.5 13 33.1 15 50 14 20 0 17.3 1623 Female Fusarium Gray Leaf NPCode 80k/FEacre 80k/% set avg YldStabili COGP Rating Eyespot Cold Goss Wilt Spot G07- 98 115 Average LowGood MS S HR NPAF3455 NP2174 81  96 Average Average Very Poor S

Table 4 shows the GCA (general combining ability) estimates ofG07-NPAF3455 compared with the GCA estimates of the other inbreds. Theestimates show the general combining ability is weighted by the numberof experiment/location combinations in which the specific hybridcombination occurs. The interpretation of the data for all traits isthat a positive comparison is a practical advantage. A negativecomparison is a practical disadvantage. The general combining ability ofan inbred is clearly evidenced by the results of the general combiningability estimates. This data compares the inbred parent in a number ofhybrid combinations to a group of “checks”. The check data is from ourcompany's and other companies' hybrids which are commercial products andpre-commercial hybrids, which were grown in the same sets and locations.

TABLE 4 Ent Parent1 Parent2 N04 N05 N06 N Yield Moist Test_Wt EarlyLdgStalkLdg Push LateLdg DrpEars Emerge Vigor HUS50 HUBL PltHt EarHt06RJ335-05 NPAF3455 CI3693 15 15 −2.0 −0.9 −0.1 2.1 4.1 8.0 0.0 13.328.8 23.5 06RJ349-07 NPAF3455 DC4011 15 15 −19.2 0.7 −0.5 2.1 −18.2 −2.80.0 24.8 −86.7 33.3 06RJ349-11 NPAF3455 DC4015 16 16 0.3 −0.1 −0.6 2.1−3.1 2.1 0.0 −7.7 3.3 43.3 06SL321-09 NPAF3455 DD4164 15 15 −27.9 2.00.3 2.6 1.6 −6.1 −11.5 −38.3 3.3 06RJ334-18 NPAF3455 DD5908BB 16 16 17.6−3.3 0.3 2.1 9.9 7.0 0.7 −1.7 18.8 23.5 06RJ335-14 NPAF3455 HD3015HL 1515 −12.4 1.3 −0.1 2.1 −10.2 −1.1 0.0 35.8 38.8 33.5 06RJ335-30 NPAF3455IC3423 15 15 2.5 −0.1 −0.1 2.1 4.7 7.0 0.0 −13.2 −1.3 18.5 06RJ335-31NPAF3455 IC3426 15 15 7.7 −0.5 −0.2 2.1 2.8 5.0 0.0 −16.7 8.8 28.506RJ335-36 NPAF3455 IC3671 15 15 14.2 −1.9 0.0 2.1 5.8 4.5 0.0 −28.2 3.8−6.5 06RJ332-08 NPAF3455 ID3054BB 15 15 14.7 −2.2 −0.1 2.1 7.2 6.5 0.01.8 23.8 18.5 06RJ336-33 NPAF3455 ID3222 15 15 −19.0 −1.0 0.0 2.1 5.57.0 0.7 −28.2 −21.3 −4.5 X42696 NPAF3455 ID3264 9 21 38 68 0.7 −0.2 −0.65.7 0.8 −5.9 0.8 0.0 0.3 −1.0 −9.2 −2516.0 −10.1 10.3 06RJ337-04NPAF3455 ID3368 15 15 2.5 −2.7 0.3 0.6 3.6 8.5 0.7 13.3 13.8 18.506RJ337-10 NPAF3455 ID3443 15 15 −7.1 −0.3 −0.2 2.1 4.0 6.5 0.7 −42.2−1.3 8.5 X36455 NPAF3455 ID3461BB 17 31 29 77 8.6 −0.5 −0.2 0.1 1.5 −2.60.6 0.6 −0.2 1.2 −13.0 −2414.5 −29.0 5.6 06SL306-30 NPAF3455 ID3517 1212 12.1 −1.6 −0.2 0.0 −9.7 −10.3 0.0 0.0 10.0 −25.0 06SL306-31 NPAF3455ID3521 12 12 20.6 −1.9 −0.4 0.0 −4.9 −7.4 0.0 0.0 −10.0 −20.0 06SL306-32NPAF3455 ID3523 12 12 1.0 −1.1 −0.2 0.0 −4.8 −10.5 0.0 0.0 10.0 0.006RJ337-12 NPAF3455 ID4018 15 15 6.8 −1.3 −0.7 2.1 0.3 7.5 0.7 13.3 3.83.5 06RJ337-16 NPAF3455 ID4373 14 14 −4.3 −3.2 −0.3 2.1 −1.3 8.5 0.7−16.7 −1.3 8.5 06RJ337-21 NPAF3455 ID4407 15 15 −4.1 −0.7 −0.4 2.1 −11.98.0 0.7 23.3 3.8 33.5 06RJ337-28 NPAF3455 ID4447 15 15 2.2 −1.3 −0.3 2.10.0 4.5 −11.6 35.8 3.8 18.5 06RJ337-33 NPAF3455 ID4457 14 14 2.0 −1.8−0.6 2.1 −4.9 8.0 0.7 23.3 8.8 28.5 06RJ337-35 NPAF3455 ID4466 13 13−0.8 −1.5 −0.4 2.1 −7.1 7.0 0.7 −6.7 18.8 8.5 06BD318-19 NPAF3455 ID456711 11 −4.5 −2.7 0.1 0.0 −5.0 6.2 0.0 32.6 −26.3 11.3 06BG318-05 NPAF3455ID4588 15 15 −21.1 0.0 0.4 6.7 0.6 6.9 −8.0 −2.5 23.8 X45255 NPAF3455ID5199 9 24 73 106 10.3 −0.5 −0.5 −5.4 −1.9 −21.1 −0.9 −0.1 0.8 −1.1−20.1 −2530.5 2.9 12.7 06RJ353-02 NPAF3455 ID5401 16 16 15.3 −1.0 −0.21.6 1.8 12.5 0.0 −38.8 −5.8 8.3 06RJ353-04 NPAF3455 ID5427 16 16 19.0−0.1 −0.3 −2.0 3.5 9.6 0.0 −28.8 −13.3 −9.2 06RJ353-06 NPAF3455 ID543416 16 −2.9 0.8 0.4 3.0 −1.7 9.5 0.0 −52.8 −10.8 15.8 06RJ353-11 NPAF3455ID5829 16 16 −5.0 0.0 0.2 5.2 −5.4 10.6 0.0 −8.8 −15.8 5.8 06RJ353-16NPAF3455 ID5943 16 16 −7.4 −0.1 −0.7 2.3 −6.8 10.6 0.0 −8.8 11.7 18.306SL302-25 NPAF3455 IE2534 12 12 −0.9 −2.0 −0.5 3.6 −2.6 −2.0 0.006SL302-26 NPAF3455 IE2536 10 10 7.6 −1.9 0.0 3.6 −0.2 −2.0 −1.006RJ338-08 NPAF3455 IH3010 14 14 −6.6 0.6 −0.1 2.1 −2.9 7.0 0.7 1.8 8.813.5 XR = 14 866 2.4 −0.7 −0.3 0.8 −1.0 −6.8 2.3 −0.1 0.2 −0.3 −6.9−2462.8 −6.4 11.0 XH = 14 35 0.6 −0.9 −0.2 1.9 −1.3 −9.9 3.9 −0.2 0.3−0.3 −4.3 −2487.0 −1.6 12.6 XT = 14 3 6.5 −0.4 −0.4 0.1 0.1 −9.9 0.1 0.10.3 −0.3 −14.3 −2487.0 −12.1 9.5 XR = GCA Estimate: Weighted by Expt XH= GCA Estimate: Weighted by Parent2 XT = Same as XH but using only thoseparent2 with two years of data

Table 5 A shows the inbred G07-NPAF3455 in hybrid combination, incomparison with another hybrid 1, which is adapted for the same regionof the Corn Belt. G07-NPAF3455 in hybrid combination is showingsignificantly more moisture than hybrid 1, slightly more yield thenhybrid 1. However, the test weight of the present invention issignificantly less than the test weight of the grain of hybrid. Thepresent invention has this hybrid is a shorter plant and later to reachBlack layer, than is hybrid 1.

Table 5 B shows the inbred G07-NPAF3455 in the same hybrid combination,in comparison with the same Hybrid 1 in strip trials. In the striptrials, the G07-NPAF3455 hybrid does show significantly different yieldthan Hybrid 1 and similar moisture levels. The hybrid of the presentinvention is continuing to show less test weight than the Hybrid 1.

TABLE 5A PAIRED HYBRID COMPARISON DATA Hybrid G07- Year NPAF3455 YieldMoist Test_Wt EarlyRtLdg StalkLdg PushTest Overall hybrid 204.9 20.258.0 7.6 1.8 37.9 Hybrid 1 199.7 19.4 58.6 0.7 0.7 29.7 #Expts 60.0 60.060.0 7.0 28.0 17.0 Diff 5.2 0.9 0.6 6.9 1.1 8.1 Prob 0.067* 0.000***0.000*** 0.3 0.4 0.3 Hybrid G07-NPAF3455 LateRtLdg DrpEars StandStayGreen GreenSnap Harv_Pop hybrid 7.7 0.2 62.6 40.0 0.0 31278.0 Hybrid1 10.1 0.2 63.8 42.8 10.1 31833.0 #Expts 20.0 9.0 61.0 9.0 1.0 60.0 Diff2.4 0.2 1.2 2.8 10.1 555.4 Prob 0.2 0.3 0.016** 0.5 0.024** HybridG07-NPAF3455 Emerge Vigor Intact HUS50 HUBL PltHt EarHt hybrid 3.9 2.46.0 1229.0 2415.0 264.2 115.4 Hybrid 1 3.3 2.3 5.7 1202.0 2404.0 284.4113.2 #Expts 25.0 10.0 23.0 5.0 5.0 10.0 9.0 Diff 0.5 0.1 0.3 27.0 10.520.3 2.3 Prob 0.2 0.8 0.3 0.018** 0.6 0.001*** 0.7 *.05 < Prob <= .10**.01 < Prob <= .05 ***.00 < Prob <= .01

TABLE 5B PAIRED HYBRID COMPARISON STRIP DATA NPAF3455 Hybrid YearG07-NPAF3455 Yield Moist TestWT Harvest Pop. Vigor Overall hybrid 165.518.1 55.7 27629.0 . Hybrid 1 158.0 18.0 56.9 26335.0 . #Expts 13.0 13.012.0 9.0 . Diff 7.5 0.1 1.2 1293.0 . Prob 0.046** 0.7 0.021** 0.3 HybridPct Pct G07-NPAF3455 Barren GreenSnap PctRL PctSL PctPush PctDE GLShybrid . 0.1 1.3 0.9 . 0.0 . Hybrid 1 . 0.7 0.4 1.4 . 0.2 . #Expts . 9.09.0 9.0 . 9.0 . Diff . 0.6 0.9 0.6 . 0.2 . Prob 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3 *.05 <Prob <= .10 **.01 < Prob <= .05 ***.00 < Prob <= .01

Table 6A shows the yield response of G07-NPAF3455 in hybrid combinationin comparison with the plants in the environment around it at the samelocation. The data for the present inbred is showing consistentlyslightly better results than the environment level. G07-NPAF3455 inhybrid combination is a workhorse inbred that works well by providingyields that compare or exceed the environment yields regardless of yieldpotential of that environment. Likewise, Hybrid 3 is exceeding theenvironment yields in the plot tests.

Table 6B shows the data from the same comparison hybrid but the data isfrom strip trials and not plots. The comparison hybrid isunderperforming relative to the environment. In contrast the presentinvention is overperforming relative to the yielding environment in thestrip trials.

TABLE 6A YIELD RESPONSE Research Plots NPAF3455 Research PlotsEnvironment Yield Hybrid Error # Plots 75 100 125 150 175 200 Hybrid 321.3 60 101 122 143 163 184 205 NPAF3455 23.6 88 102 122 143 163 183 203as hybrid

TABLE 6B YIELD RESPONSE Strip Tests Strip Tests Environment Yield HybridError # Strips 75 100 125 ° 150 175 200 Hybrid 3 6.1 232 71  97 122 148173 199 NPAF3455 7.6  30 80 105 129 153 177 201 as hybrid

TABLE 7 DISEASE RESISTANCE IN G07-NPAF3455 HYBRID Research Name GWRatingEYERating HYBRID 3 5 4 G07-NPAF3455 HYBRID 1 5 7 HYBRID 2 5 7

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a corn plant bycrossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plantwherein the first or second parent corn plant is an inbred corn plantfrom the line G07-NPAF3455. Further, both first and second parent cornplants can come from the inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 which produces aself of the inbred invention. The present invention can be employed in avariety of breeding methods which can be selected depending on the modeof reproduction, the trait, and the condition of the germplasm. Thus,any breeding methods using the inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455 are part ofthis invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, and crosses topopulations, and haploid by such old and known methods of using KWSinducers lines, Kransdor inducers, stock six material that induceshaploids and anther culturing and the like.

All plants and plant cells produced using inbred corn line G07-NPAF3455are within the scope of this invention. The invention encompasses theinbred corn line used in crosses with other, different, corn inbreds toproduce (F1) corn hybrid seeds and hybrid plants and the grain producedon the hybrid plant. This invention includes plant and plant cells,which upon growth and differentiation produce corn plants having thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the inbred lineG07-NPAF3455.

Additionally, this maize can, within the scope of the invention,contain: a mutant gene such as, but not limited to, amylose, amylase,sugary 1, shrunken 1, waxy, AE (amylose extender), dull or imazethapyrtolerant (IT or IR™); or transgenic genes such as but not limited toinsect resistant genes such as Corn Rootworm gene, Bacillusthuringiensis (Cry genes), or herbicide resistant genes such as Pat geneor Bar gene, EPSP, or disease resistant genes such as the Mosaic virusresistant gene, etc., or trait altering genes such as flowering genes,oil modifying genes, senescence genes and the like. The methods andtechniques for inserting, or producing and/or identifying a mutation ormaking or reshuffling a transgene and introgressing the trait or gene ininto the present invention through breeding, transformation, mutatingand the like are well known and understood by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

A number of different inventions exist which are designed to avoiddetasseling in maize hybrid production. Some examples are switchablemale sterility, lethal genes in the pollen or anther, inducible malesterility, male sterility genes with chemical restorers, sterility geneslinked with parent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,546, relates to the use oftapetum-specific promoters and the barnase gene. U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,799relates to modifying stamen cells to provide male sterility. Therefore,one aspect of the current invention concerns the present inventioncomprising one or more gene(s) capable of restoring male fertility tomale-sterile maize inbreds or hybrids.

Various techniques for breeding, moving or altering genetic materialwithin or into the present invention (whether it is an inbred or inhybrid combination) are also known to those skilled in the art. Thesetechniques to list only a few are anther culturing, haploid production,(stock six is a method that has been in use for thirty years and is wellknown to those with skill in the art), transformation, irradiation toproduce mutations, chemical or biological mutation agents and a host ofother methods are within the scope of the invention. All parts of theG07-NPAF3455 plant including its plant cells produced using the inbredcorn line is within the scope of this invention. The term transgenicplant refers to plants having genetic sequences, which are introducedinto the genome of a plant by a transformation method and the progenythereof. Transformation methods are means for integrating new geneticcoding sequences into the plant's genome by the incorporation of thesesequences into a plant through man's assistance, but not by breedingpractices. The transgene once introduced into plant material andintegrated stably can be moved into other germplasm by standard breedingpractices.

Though there are a large number of known methods to transform plants,certain types of plants are more amenable to transformation than areothers. Transformation of dicots is usually achievable for example,tobacco is a readily transformable plant. Monocots can present sometransformation challenges, however, the basic steps of transformingplants monocots have been known in the art for about 15 years. The mostcommon method of maize transformation is referred to as gunning ormicroprojectile bombardment though other methods can be used. Theprocess employs small gold-coated particles coated with DNA which areshot into the transformable material. Detailed techniques for gunningDNA into cells, tissue, callus, embryos, and the like are well known inthe prior art. One example of steps that can be involved in monocottransformation are concisely outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,956“Fertile Transgenic Zea mays Plants Comprising Heterologous DNA EncodingBacillus Thuringiensis Endotoxin” issued Jan. 16, 1996 and also in U.S.Pat. No. 5,489,520 “Process of Producing Fertile Zea mays Plants andProgeny Comprising a Gene Encoding Phosphinothricin Acetyl Transferase”issued Feb. 6, 1996.

Plant cells such as maize can be transformed not only by the use of agunning device but also by a number of different techniques. Some ofthese techniques include maize pollen transformation (See University ofToledo 1993 U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,010); Whiskers technology (See U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,464,765 and 5,302,523); electroporation; PEG on Maize;Agrobacterium (See 1996 article on transformation of maize cells inNature Biotechnology, Volume 14, June 1996) along with numerous othermethods which may have slightly lower efficiency rates. Some of thesemethods require specific types of cells and other methods can bepracticed on any number of cell types.

The use of pollen, cotyledons, zygotic embryos, meristems and ovum asthe target issue can eliminate the need for extensive tissue culturework. Generally, cells derived from meristematic tissue are useful. Themethod of transformation of meristematic cells of cereal is taught inthe PCT application WO96/04392. Any number of various cell lines,tissues, calli and plant parts can and have been transformed by thosehaving knowledge in the art. Methods of preparing callus or protoplastsfrom various plants are well known in the art and specific methods aredetailed in patents and references used by those skilled in the art.Cultures can be initiated from most of the above-identified tissue. Theonly true requirement of the transforming plant material is that it canultimately be used to form a transformed plant.

The DNA used for transformation of these plants clearly may be circular,linear, and double or single stranded. Usually, the DNA is in the formof a plasmid. The plasmid usually contains regulatory and/or targetingsequences which assists the expression or targeting of the gene in theplant. The methods of forming plasmids for transformation are known inthe art. Plasmid components can include such items as: leader sequences,transit polypeptides, promoters, terminators, genes, introns, markergenes, etc. The structures of the gene orientations can be sense,antisense, partial antisense, or partial sense: multiple gene copies canbe used. The transgenic gene can come from various non-plant genes (suchas; bacteria, yeast, animals, and viruses) along with being from plants.

The regulatory promoters employed can be constitutive such as CaMv35S(usually for dicots) and polyubiquitin for monocots or tissue specificpromoters such as CAB promoters, MR7 described in U.S. Pat. No.5,837,848, etc. The prior art promoters, includes but is not limited to,octopine synthase, nopaline synthase, CaMv19S, mannopine synthase. Theseregulatory sequences can be combined with introns, terminators,enhancers, leader sequences and the like in the material used fortransformation.

The isolated DNA is then transformed into the plant. After thetransformation of the plant material is complete, the next step isidentifying the cells or material, which has been transformed. In somecases, a screenable marker is employed such as the beta-glucuronidasegene of the uidA locus of E. coli. Then, the transformed cellsexpressing the colored protein are selected. In many cases, a selectablemarker identifies the transformed material. The putatively transformedmaterial is exposed to a toxic agent at varying concentrations. Thecells not transformed with the selectable marker, which providesresistance to this toxic agent, die. Cells or tissues containing theresistant selectable marker generally proliferate. It has been notedthat although selectable markers protect the cells from some of thetoxic affects of the herbicide or antibiotic, the cells may still beslightly affected by the toxic agent by having slower growth rates. Ifthe transformed material was cell lines then these lines are regeneratedinto plants. The cells' lines are treated to induce tissuedifferentiation. Methods of regeneration of cellular maize material arewell known in the art.

A deposit of at least 2500 seeds of this invention will be maintained bySyngenta Seed Inc. Access to this deposit will be available during thependency of this application to the Commissioner of Patents andTrademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner to be entitledthereto upon request. All restrictions on availability to the public ofsuch material will be removed upon issuance of a granted patent of thisapplication by depositing at least 2500 seeds of this invention at theAmerican Type Culture Collection (ATCC), at 10801 University Boulevard,Manassas, Va. 20110. The date of deposit was Oct. 1, 2009. The ATCCnumber of the deposit is PTA-10375. The seeds were tested on Oct. 13,2009 and found to be viable. The deposit of at least 2500 seeds will befrom inbred seed taken from the deposit maintained by Syngenta Seed Inc.The ATCC deposit will be maintained in that depository, which is apublic depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the lastrequest, or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer,and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period.

Additional public information on patent variety protection may beavailable from the PVP Office, a division of the US Government.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degreeof particularity directed to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be appreciated, though that the present inventionis defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior artso that modifications or changes may be made to the preferred embodimentof the present invention without departing from the inventive conceptscontained herein.

1. A seed of the maize inbred line designated G07-NPAF3455,representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCCAccession Number PTA-10375.
 2. A maize plant or plant part produced bygrowing the seed of claim
 1. 3. An F1 hybrid maize seed produced bycrossing a plant of maize inbred line G07-NPAF3455 according to claim 2with a different maize plant and harvesting the resultant F1 hybridmaize seed.
 4. A maize plant or plant part produced by growing the F1hybrid maize seed of claim
 3. 5. An F1 hybrid maize seed comprising aninbred maize plant cell of inbred maize line G07-NPAF3455,representative seed of said line having been deposited under ATCCAccession Number PTA-10375.
 6. A maize plant produced by growing the F1hybrid maize seed of claim
 5. 7. A cell of a maize plant produced bygrowing the F1 hybrid maize seed of claim
 5. 8. A process of introducinga desired trait into maize inbred line G07-NPAF3455 comprising: (a)crossing G07-NPAF3455 plants grown from G07-NPAF3455 seed,representative seed of which has been deposited under ATCC AccessionNumber PTA-10375, with plants of another maize line that comprise adesired trait to produce F1 progeny plants, wherein the desired trait isselected from the group consisting of waxy starch, male sterility,herbicide resistance, insect resistance, bacterial disease resistance,fungal disease resistance, and viral disease resistance; (b) selectingF1 progeny plants that have the desired trait to produce selected F1progeny plants; (c) crossing the selected progeny plants with theG07-NPAF3455 plants to produce backcross progeny plants; (d) selectingfor backcross progeny plants that have the desired trait to produceselected backcross progeny plants; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d)at least three or more times to produce backcross progeny plants thatcomprise the desired trait and all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of corn inbred line G07-NPAF3455 listed inTable 1 when grown in the same environmental conditions.
 9. A plantproduced by the process of claim
 8. 10. A maize plant having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of inbred lineG07-NPAF3455, wherein a sample of the seed of inbred line G07-NPAF3455was deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-10375.
 11. A process ofproducing maize seed, comprising crossing a first parent maize plantwith a second parent maize plant, wherein one or both of the first orthe second parent maize plants is the plant of claim 10, and harvestingthe resultant seed.
 12. The maize seed produced by the process of claim11.
 13. The maize seed of claim 12, wherein the maize seed is hybridseed.
 14. A hybrid maize plant, or its parts, produced by growing saidhybrid seed of claim
 13. 15. The maize plant of claim 10, furthercomprising a genome comprising at least one transgene or a geneconversion conferred by a transgene.
 16. The maize plant of claim 15,wherein the gene confers a trait selected from the group consisting ofherbicide tolerance; insect tolerance; resistance to bacterial, fungal,nematode or viral disease; waxy starch; male sterility or restoration ofmale fertility, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified fatty acidmetabolism.
 17. A method of producing a maize plant derived from theinbred line G07-NPAF3455, the method comprising the steps of (a) growinga progeny plant produced by crossing the plant of claim 10 with a secondmaize plant; (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a differentplant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation;(c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seedand crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself ora different plant; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) for an additional0-5 generations to produce a maize plant derived from the inbred lineG07-NPAF3455.
 18. A method for developing a maize plant in a maize plantbreeding program, comprising applying plant breeding techniques to themaize plant of claim 10, or its parts, wherein application of saidtechniques results in development of a maize plant.
 19. The method fordeveloping a maize plant in a maize plant breeding program of claim 18,wherein the plant breeding techniques are selected from the groupconsisting of recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding,restriction fragment length polymorphism enhanced selection, geneticmarker enhanced selection, and transformation.